2/8/2021 More Contractions - Basic English 1: Elementary - King's College London

Basic English 1: Elementary

King's College London

 
MM

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More Contractions

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Press play to read and listen: More contractions

Read these sentences from the listening lesson.

1. He’s happy – he’s always smiling. He’s funny, too.

2. She’s calm.

Look at the images and notice the form of these sentences:

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2/8/2021 More Contractions - Basic English 1: Elementary - King's College London

1. He’s happy.

He + ’s + character adjective.

Subject + is (verb be) + character adjective.

2. She’s angry.

She + ’s + character adjective.

Subject + is (verb be) + character adjective.

In both sentences, ’s is short for is. We use this when the subject of the sentence is he or she. Both ’s and is
have the same meaning but the short form (’s) is more normal when speaking. Both sentences are positive.

It is possible to have negative character adjectives.

Look at the image and read the example below.

She’s not moody at all.

She + ’s + not + character adjective.

Subject + is (verb be) + not + character adjective.

When we want to make the character adjective negative, we use not before it.

When we use a different subject, we need to change the verb to be.

Look at the images and read the examples.

I’m organised and serious.

I + ’m + character adjective 1 + and + character adjective 2.

Subject + am (verb be) + character adjective 1 + character adjective 2.

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2/8/2021 More Contractions - Basic English 1: Elementary - King's College London

You’re intelligent.

You + ’re + character adjective.

Subject + are (verb be) + character adjective.

We usually use the short forms (’m and ’re) when speaking.

All of these sentences are used to describe a person’s character or personality. They are answers to the
questions in section 1.

Here is an example of a question and answer:

What’s he like?

He’s happy – he’s always smiling.

Listen to each answer and repeat it.

He’s happy – he’s always smiling. He’s happy - he’s always smiling.

He’s funny, too. He’s funny, too.

She’s calm. She’s calm.

She’s not moody at all. She’s not moody at all.

I’m organised and serious. I’m organised and serious.

You’re intelligent. You’re intelligent.

Question: Can you think of any other examples? Type some in the comments box below!

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Melany Muñoz T.

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